Rethinking can be highly rewarding

Ernie MazzatentaTimes-News Columnist

Published: Friday, May 24, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 9:07 a.m.

Are you about to start a final report on a completed project? Or a proposal on a possible new one? Or a set of instructions on how to set up and operate a new piece of shop equipment? If you are planning to write about these topics or any subject that will require lengthy treatment (say, five to 10 pages) then read on.

In a previous column, I described two essential pre-writing activities: developing a purpose statement and a rough outline. After a brief break (say, an hour or two of doing something else), return to that outline. Inject your "second thoughts." Prolong the thought process because rethinking can be highly rewarding.

It will provide a stronger base for your first draft.

It will enable you to briefly list — at the outset — major and minor points that otherwise may not occur to you until well into the writing project, often an inconvenient, difficult time to integrate.

It will provide you with the framework for a follow-up talk. Speaking from an expanded outline (extemporaneously) is far more effective than reading your written proposal — a practice that most audiences understandably loathe.

To illustrate how second thoughts can enrich your outline, let's say you are a budding entrepreneur who wants to open a small local store offering soft-serve dairy products. You want to persuade other individuals or groups to invest in your new business. Your expanded outline would combine ideas in the original version and second thoughts. The following outline shows the original ideas in regular type and the second thoughts in capital letters.

This expanded outline fortifies you for the next step: a first draft in which you use complete sentences to fully address each idea. Later, as noted earlier, you also can use the expanded version of your outline when you speak before potential investors. Toward the end of the talk, you can distribute the written proposal for at-home perusal.

The first draft: Because the first draft could easily consist of several large sections, you might feel somewhat intimidated as you begin. What can you do about it? To cut this challenge down to size, tell yourself that this is a first draft in which you only need to develop your extended outline — not reach perfection. In this first draft, you simply strive for quantity and not quality.

In succeeding drafts, you can refine and elaborate upon what you have expressed roughly in the first draft. The eminent novelist Ernest Hemingway had this to say about revisions: "I rewrote the ending to "Farewell to Arms," the last page of it, 39 times before I was satisfied." Fear not; you won't even have to come close to that awesome number of revisions!

In addition to striving for quantity, make this first draft more doable by dividing the work into several writing sessions of moderate length. These sessions should be scheduled within the same week — and at the same time.

You might say to yourself: "On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, I will sit down at 9 a.m. and write for 40 minutes." When you set the time, hew to it. And be sure to pick the time at which you feel most "up to" writing. Students of all ages. including adult professionals, have followed this procedure and have been pleasantly surprised by the content they have amassed. You will be, too.

As you begin your first draft, also consider these suggestions that have helped both part-time and full-time writers:

u Start writing with the outline section that interests you the most. Like picking "the right time," choosing the right topic is another means of bolstering your confidence at the start. Begin with what you know best.

u Refer to your expanded outline as you move along. But don't hesitate to amend it if you believe some thoughts should be relocated, added or deleted. Keep in mind that an outline — original or expanded — is a working tool. Make changes now rather than in the middle of your final draft.

u Do not allow anyone or anything to interrupt your allotted time for writing. Maintain your pace and concentrate on amassing detail. Remind yourself that volume — not polished writing — is your goal at this point.

u Write quickly; do not stop to check spelling, grammar or sentence structure. Do not correct anything. That is editing, not writing.

In her textbook "Effective Writing," Dr. H.J. Tichy pinpoints the difference: "Writing and revising require different frames of mind. Revision demands cool objectivity; writing ... is a fiery, or at least a warm, procreation. Writing should be kept at a boil. When the creator turns critic, the fire dies."

Consider following these suggestions, for they have worked for others. Test them more than once or twice to see if some or all of them will work for you.

In a future column, we will consider how to write effective subsequent drafts, including the final one.

Ernie Mazzatenta, a Hendersonville resident, teaches managerial communication and public speaking at Montreat College. He also serves as a community mediator at The Mediation Center in Hendersonville. Reach him at joern8@morrisbb.net.

<p>Are you about to start a final report on a completed project? Or a proposal on a possible new one? Or a set of instructions on how to set up and operate a new piece of shop equipment? If you are planning to write about these topics or any subject that will require lengthy treatment (say, five to 10 pages) then read on.</p><p>In a previous column, I described two essential pre-writing activities: developing a purpose statement and a rough outline. After a brief break (say, an hour or two of doing something else), return to that outline. Inject your "second thoughts." Prolong the thought process because rethinking can be highly rewarding.</p><p>It will provide a stronger base for your first draft.</p><p>It will enable you to briefly list — at the outset — major and minor points that otherwise may not occur to you until well into the writing project, often an inconvenient, difficult time to integrate.</p><p>It will provide you with the framework for a follow-up talk. Speaking from an expanded outline (extemporaneously) is far more effective than reading your written proposal — a practice that most audiences understandably loathe.</p><p>To illustrate how second thoughts can enrich your outline, let's say you are a budding entrepreneur who wants to open a small local store offering soft-serve dairy products. You want to persuade other individuals or groups to invest in your new business. Your expanded outline would combine ideas in the original version and second thoughts. The following outline shows the original ideas in regular type and the second thoughts in capital letters.</p><p>Proposal for a soft-serve retail store:</p><p>u Introduction</p><p>Identify product and cite purpose (original idea). Short, catchy name (second thought). Customer needs and desires.</p><p>u Research</p><p>Go to Google to study similar startups. Study local competitors.</p><p>u Staff Needs</p><p>Background, experience. Full and/or part-time. Hire sons? Daughter? Wages and benefits.</p><p>u Financing</p><p>Individual investors. Banks. Credit unions. Other commercial lenders.</p><p>u Sales Promotion</p><p>Newspapers. Radio and Television. Online: social networking sites.</p><p>This expanded outline fortifies you for the next step: a first draft in which you use complete sentences to fully address each idea. Later, as noted earlier, you also can use the expanded version of your outline when you speak before potential investors. Toward the end of the talk, you can distribute the written proposal for at-home perusal.</p><p>The first draft: Because the first draft could easily consist of several large sections, you might feel somewhat intimidated as you begin. What can you do about it? To cut this challenge down to size, tell yourself that this is a first draft in which you only need to develop your extended outline — not reach perfection. In this first draft, you simply strive for quantity and not quality.</p><p>In succeeding drafts, you can refine and elaborate upon what you have expressed roughly in the first draft. The eminent novelist Ernest Hemingway had this to say about revisions: "I rewrote the ending to "Farewell to Arms," the last page of it, 39 times before I was satisfied." Fear not; you won't even have to come close to that awesome number of revisions!</p><p>In addition to striving for quantity, make this first draft more doable by dividing the work into several writing sessions of moderate length. These sessions should be scheduled within the same week — and at the same time.</p><p>You might say to yourself: "On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, I will sit down at 9 a.m. and write for 40 minutes." When you set the time, hew to it. And be sure to pick the time at which you feel most "up to" writing. Students of all ages. including adult professionals, have followed this procedure and have been pleasantly surprised by the content they have amassed. You will be, too.</p><p>As you begin your first draft, also consider these suggestions that have helped both part-time and full-time writers:</p><p>u Start writing with the outline section that interests you the most. Like picking "the right time," choosing the right topic is another means of bolstering your confidence at the start. Begin with what you know best.</p><p>u Refer to your expanded outline as you move along. But don't hesitate to amend it if you believe some thoughts should be relocated, added or deleted. Keep in mind that an outline — original or expanded — is a working tool. Make changes now rather than in the middle of your final draft.</p><p>u Do not allow anyone or anything to interrupt your allotted time for writing. Maintain your pace and concentrate on amassing detail. Remind yourself that volume — not polished writing — is your goal at this point.</p><p>u Write quickly; do not stop to check spelling, grammar or sentence structure. Do not correct anything. That is editing, not writing.</p><p>In her textbook "Effective Writing," Dr. H.J. Tichy pinpoints the difference: "Writing and revising require different frames of mind. Revision demands cool objectivity; writing ... is a fiery, or at least a warm, procreation. Writing should be kept at a boil. When the creator turns critic, the fire dies."</p><p>Consider following these suggestions, for they have worked for others. Test them more than once or twice to see if some or all of them will work for you.</p><p>In a future column, we will consider how to write effective subsequent drafts, including the final one.</p><p>Ernie Mazzatenta, a Hendersonville resident, teaches managerial communication and public speaking at Montreat College. He also serves as a community mediator at The Mediation Center in Hendersonville. Reach him at joern8@morrisbb.net.</p>